COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccine Over 300,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine arrive in Argentina. (Livemint)
COVID-19 pandemic in Arkansas Arkansas reports 3,204 new cases on Christmas Eve, a new single-day record. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California surpasses two million cases of COVID-19, becoming the first U.S. state to do so. (CBS News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Canada COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario reports 2,447 cases on Christmas Eve, a new single-day record. (The Chronicle-Journal) COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec Quebec reports 2,349 cases over the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (Montreal Gazette)
COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, COVID-19 vaccine Chile begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 after the arrival of 10,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to the country. (Prensa Latina)
COVID-19 pandemic in Germany Germany reports the first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom after a woman who flew from London to Frankfurt this weekend tested positive for COVID-19. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Indonesia issues a ban on travellers from the United Kingdom and restricts entry to people from mainland Europe and Australia to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 Task Force Chief Doni Monardo says that these measures will remain in place until January 8. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Health Ministry announce that a third nationwide lockdown will begin from December 27 at 5:00 p.m. local time for at least two weeks in order to curb the resurgence of COVID-19. (The Times of Israel)
COVID-19 pandemic in Italy Italy surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (ANSA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Tokyo reports a record 888 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the prefecture to 54,018. (NHK World) Nationwide, a record 3,743 new cases are reported in Japan in the past 24 hours. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China, Variant of Concern 202012/01, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic China says it will suspend all direct flights to and from the United Kingdom indefinitely due to the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia Malaysia surpasses 100,000 cases of COVID-19. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, COVID-19 vaccine Mexico begins vaccinations with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. An intensive care unit nurse in Mexico City becomes the first person in the country to receive the vaccine. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario Ontario reports 2,447 cases on Christmas Eve, a new single-day record. (The Chronicle-Journal)
COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec Quebec reports 2,349 cases over the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (Montreal Gazette)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports a record 29,935 new cases and 635 deaths in the past 24 hours, thus bringing the nationwide totals to 2,963,688 confirmed cases and 53,096 deaths. (Arab News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, COVID-19 vaccine Serbia officially begins its vaccination programme against COVID-19, with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić becoming the first person to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, COVID-19 vaccine Over 300,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine arrive in Argentina. (Livemint) COVID-19 pandemic in Chile, COVID-19 vaccine Chile begins its vaccination campaign against COVID-19 after the arrival of 10,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to the country. (Prensa Latina)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, COVID-19 vaccine Turkey announces that CoronaVac is 91.25% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on data in interim studies. These initial results follow Phase III trials that involved 7,371 volunteers. (Daily Sabah)
COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine Ukraine surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (Kyiv Post)
European migrant crisis At least 20 African migrants die when their boat sinks off the coast of Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean Sea to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The coast guard confirmed they had rescued people and were searching for others who were on the boat, which was carrying a total of 45 people. (Reuters)
European Union–United Kingdom relations, Trade negotiation between the UK and the EU The United Kingdom and the European Union agree on a post-Brexit trade deal. (BBC News)
Germany reports the first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom after a woman who flew from London to Frankfurt this weekend tested positive for COVID-19. (DW)
Gunmen on a motorbike shoot dead a women’s rights activist and her brother near their home in Kohistan, Afghanistan. (Al Jazeera)
Indonesia issues a ban on travellers from the United Kingdom and restricts entry to people from mainland Europe and Australia to prevent the spread of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 Task Force Chief Doni Monardo says that these measures will remain in place until January 8. (Reuters)
Italy surpasses two million cases of COVID-19. (ANSA)
Metekel conflict Metekel massacre The Ethiopian National Defense Force clashes with armed bandits involved in yesterday's massacre, killing 42 of them and seizing weapons. (Al Arabiya English)
Metekel massacre The Ethiopian National Defense Force clashes with armed bandits involved in yesterday's massacre, killing 42 of them and seizing weapons. (Al Arabiya English)
Nationwide, a record 3,743 new cases are reported in Japan in the past 24 hours. (The Japan Times)
Ontario reports 2,447 cases on Christmas Eve, a new single-day record. (The Chronicle-Journal)
Over 300,000 doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine arrive in Argentina. (Livemint)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Health Ministry announce that a third nationwide lockdown will begin from December 27 at 5:00 p.m. local time for at least two weeks in order to curb the resurgence of COVID-19. (The Times of Israel)
Quebec reports 2,349 cases over the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (Montreal Gazette)
Russia reports a record 29,935 new cases and 635 deaths in the past 24 hours, thus bringing the nationwide totals to 2,963,688 confirmed cases and 53,096 deaths. (Arab News)
Serbia officially begins its vaccination programme against COVID-19, with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić becoming the first person to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. (Anadolu Agency)
The Ethiopian National Defense Force clashes with armed bandits involved in yesterday's massacre, killing 42 of them and seizing weapons. (Al Arabiya English)
The United Kingdom and the European Union agree on a post-Brexit trade deal. (BBC News)
Tokyo reports a record 888 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the prefecture to 54,018. (NHK World)
Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Variant of Concern 202012/01 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces that American passengers traveling from the United Kingdom will be required to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. The order is expected to take effect on December 28. (MarketWatch) United Airlines and Delta Air Lines will require passengers from the United Kingdom to test negative for COVID-19 due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Reuters)
Turkey announces that CoronaVac is 91.25% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on data in interim studies. These initial results follow Phase III trials that involved 7,371 volunteers. (Daily Sabah)
Ukraine surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (Kyiv Post)
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines will require passengers from the United Kingdom to test negative for COVID-19 due to the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2. (Reuters)
Central African Republic Civil War Three United Nations peacekeepers from Burundi are killed and two others injured in the Central African Republic during two attacks by unknown gunmen. The shootings are carried out two days before the general election in the country. (BBC News)
Three United Nations peacekeepers from Burundi are killed and two others injured in the Central African Republic during two attacks by unknown gunmen. The shootings are carried out two days before the general election in the country. (BBC News)
2018 Puebla helicopter crash Four people are arrested for a helicopter crash in Puebla, Mexico, that killed Governor Martha Érika Alonso, her husband, and former Governor Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas. (ABC News)
A boat overturns and sinks due to strong winds on the Ugandan side of Lake Albert, killing 26 people. (BBC News)
A court in Russia sentences prominent historian Oleg Sokolov to 12 and a half years in prison for the murder and dismemberment of his student lover. Sokolov, a former history professor at St. Petersburg State University, pled guilty to the murder. (Reuters)
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan confirms that the Republic has detected the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom as the country reports more than 1,000 for the first time in two months. (Independent.ie)
COVID-19 pandemic in Africa COVID-19 pandemic in Mali, COVID-19 pandemic in France Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cissé dies from COVID-19 in France two months after he was released by jihadist militants in a prisoner swap. (France 24) COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco, COVID-19 vaccine Morocco is expected to acquire 65 million vaccine doses from AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa reports a record 14,796 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 983,359 cases. (The Citizens)
COVID-19 pandemic in China COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The authorities extends the compulsory quarantine in designed hotels to 21 days for visitors from outside China, Macau, and Taiwan beginning tomorrow and also ban all people who stayed in South Africa over the past 21 days from entering Hong Kong in order to prevent the spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in France, Variant of Concern 202012/01 France reports their first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a French citizen who travelled from London to Tours, France on December 19. (Sky News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong The authorities extends the compulsory quarantine in designed hotels to 21 days for visitors from outside China, Macau, and Taiwan beginning tomorrow and also ban all people who stayed in South Africa over the past 21 days from entering Hong Kong in order to prevent the spread of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. (The Straits Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia Indonesia reports a record 258 deaths and 6,324 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide totals to 20,847 deaths and 570,304 recoveries. (CNN Indonesia)
COVID-19 pandemic in Japan Japan reports their first cases of the new variant of SARS-COV-2 in five people who arrived from the United Kingdom. (The Japan Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (Xinhua News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Lebanon reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a passenger on a Middle East Airlines flight from London on December 21. (The National)
COVID-19 pandemic in Mali, COVID-19 pandemic in France Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cissé dies from COVID-19 in France two months after he was released by jihadist militants in a prisoner swap. (France 24)
COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco, COVID-19 vaccine Morocco is expected to acquire 65 million vaccine doses from AstraZeneca and Sinopharm. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Rospotrebnadzor orders a 14-day quarantine for anyone who travels from the United Kingdom, with the exception of aircraft crew members, beginning tomorrow due to the spread of a more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2. (The Moscow Times)
COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, COVID-19 vaccine Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives a COVID-19 vaccine. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa South Africa reports a record 14,796 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 983,359 cases. (The Citizens)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea South Korea reports a record 1,241 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 54,770 cases. (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, Variant of Concern 202012/01 Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan confirms that the Republic has detected the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom as the country reports more than 1,000 for the first time in two months. (Independent.ie)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom exceeds 70,000 deaths from COVID-19. (The Independent) (BBC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey Turkey signs a deal with BioNTech to receive up to 30 million doses of their vaccine. (Daily Sabah)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives a COVID-19 vaccine. (The Hill)
Four people are arrested for a helicopter crash in Puebla, Mexico, that killed Governor Martha Érika Alonso, her husband, and former Governor Rafael Moreno Valle Rosas. (ABC News)
France reports their first case of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a French citizen who travelled from London to Tours, France on December 19. (Sky News)
Greg Norman, Australian former world number one champion of the 1986 and 1993 Open Championships, tests positive for COVID-19 and is hospitalized in the United States due to having symptoms. (BBC Sport)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports Greg Norman, Australian former world number one champion of the 1986 and 1993 Open Championships, tests positive for COVID-19 and is hospitalized in the United States due to having symptoms. (BBC Sport)
Indonesia reports a record 258 deaths and 6,324 recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide totals to 20,847 deaths and 570,304 recoveries. (CNN Indonesia)
Japan reports their first cases of the new variant of SARS-COV-2 in five people who arrived from the United Kingdom. (The Japan Times)
Kyrgyzstan surpasses 80,000 cases of COVID-19. (Xinhua News Agency)
Lebanon reports their first case of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in a passenger on a Middle East Airlines flight from London on December 21. (The National)
Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cissé dies from COVID-19 in France two months after he was released by jihadist militants in a prisoner swap. (France 24)
